At least 50 people were killed and more than 50 others are injured after a shooting at an Orlando nightclub Sunday morning.
The tragedy has touched the lives of many across the country. President Barack Obama spoke about the shooting Sunday. You can watch or read his full address by clicking here.
“Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder — a horrific massacre — of dozens of innocent people,” he said. “We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. We stand with the people of Orlando, who have endured a terrible attack on their city. Although it’s still early in the investigation, we know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate. And as Americans, we are united in grief, in outrage, and in resolve to defend our people.”
“This was an act of terror and act of hate.” —@POTUS on the tragic shooting in #Orlando https://t.co/i7fOS38GzH
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 12, 2016
The issue has become a hot topic on the campaign trail. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said it was an act of terror and an act of hate.
“For now, we can say for certain that we need to redouble our efforts to defend our country from threats at home and abroad,” she shared on Facebook Sunday.
Part of Clinton’s message also addressed gun control.
“Finally, we need to keep guns like the ones used last night out of the hands of terrorists or other violent criminals,” she said. “This is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States and it reminds us once more that weapons of war have no place on our streets.” — Hillary Clinton
However, some question if now is the right time to talk about the issue of guns in the U.S.
“It is always appropriate to address problems,” Tia Cole writes on the KAKE TV fan page. “Of course the tragedy is horrible….but to turn a blind eye to what is going on is foolish.”
Others, like Jacob Welsh, have a contrasting view.
“Nope. It’s time to mourn,” Welsh Tweets to KAKE News. “A week or two from now maybe. After the victim’s have been laid to rest.”
KAKE News viewer Chuck Baxter says the issue is not a matter of gun control.
“Does anyone really believe gun control is the answer?? Shooter was a Muslim, was investigated by the FBI and was still a person of interest, passed a background check and was a licensed security guard,” he writes on KAKE’s Facebook page. “If the FBI was concerned why was he allowed to be wandering around? You can put the blame on failed law enforcement policies which stem from the Federal level. Should have never happened.”